<p>Hello everyone :)</p>
<p>I have a question about honors courses vs regular courses. At my state school, the bio 1 course for honors and non-honors has the same course number. In the course title, however, one says honors. I've seen this question being asked/answered numerous times and people always cite how honors classes may be easier due to a smaller class size, etc etc. I've been told to avoid the professor who teachers the honors course because he is not a very good teacher and isn't usually willing to help. On the other hand, the professor who teaches the regular course is said to be very helpful, engaging, etc. </p>
<p>My question is wouldn't it be better to take the regular course with a good professor instead of taking an honors course where my GPA might be in jeopardy? How much weight will PRESTIGIOUS medical schools place on honors classes? I understand getting into medical school is difficult enough but my question is geared towards top 10/20 medical schools. (I'm not counting on getting into these but might as well try so don't jump on me please about how I shouldn't count on getting in :P) Why not shoot for the moon? If I miss, I'll land among the stars ;)</p>
<p>Note: I will still be able to graduate with honors if I don't take this course because my college only requires that we complete 18 credit hours in honors courses in order to graduate with honors. These can be ANY honors courses.</p>
<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated :)</p>
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IMO, this controls over all else. Investigate further. If this is true, don’t take the class.</p>
<p>I appreciate you taking the time to respond! :)</p>
<p>Based on numerous reviews on ratemyprofessor.com, the regular professor’s rating is double that of the honors teacher. (4.5/5 compared to about 2.5/5)</p>
<p>I think the above information justifies taking the regular class over honors, correct?</p>
<p>I don’t trust ratemyprof that much. Go straight to individuals who have taken the class if that is possible. But, yeah. Non-honors is looking good.</p>
<p>Very good point. I asked a few people and it seems as though there is simply a difference in personality (one is mean, one is nice haha) but in terms of teaching, they are both pretty good. I have heard that the honors one focuses a little more on phisiology which helps for the MCAT.</p>
<p>Mean isn’t bad. Some of my favorite profs had names like “snake” and “maddog”. What about fair non-random grading?</p>
<p>You can’t just look at the numbers on ratemyprof. You have to read the moderately written reviews. Anything in ALL CAPS is out, as well as anything that sounds like it’s been written by a 12 year old.</p>
<p>By mean, I meant not willing to help during office hours etc. I personally like strict teachers better because it forces me to learn but grading unfairly and being unreasonable is another thing. As it’s a bio 1 class that I already have credit for and am just retaking it make sure I know the information inside out, I think I might stick to the non-honors course. Since the honors course is slightly more time-consuming from what I’ve heard, I think it makes sense to focus my energy and attention on chemistry which I only had one year of in high school as opposed to three years of rigorous biology. </p>
<p>MSD, thank you for your advice 
I’ve used ratemyprof in combination with a rating system exclusive to my university as well as taking to various students. I do agree, however, that many reviews are beyond useless. I can’t tell you how many reviews I read where the jist of the comment was “I rarely went to class and when I did I slept. He sucks at teaching because it’s not an easy A and I’m forced to take.”</p>
<p>If you have more time from the non-honors class, you can now do fun EC’s! Yay!!!</p>
<p>Yay… 
I don’t even know where to start getting involved haha, probably just going to start with research/shadowing and then go from there in terms of on-campus ECs and community service. </p>
<p>Technically, I don’t need to do ECs because I’ve been guaranteed a post in med school but just trying to keep my options open in case I want to apply elsewhere :)</p>
<p>"focuses a little more on phisiology " - many (most?) are taking physiology anyway, I strongly advise after my D. said that it was one of the most helpful classes. So, do not factor this in, if you are taking physiology later anyway.</p>
<p>Go with the better professor. Honors designations usually don’t mean much, if anything.</p>
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<p>I’d just like to point out that EC’s shouldn’t just be done to get into med school. They should be done to enhance your college experience. The best EC’s are things you’re passionate about - even (probably especially) if they don’t have any thing to do with medicine.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for the advice, it is definitely appreciated! I ended up going with the better professor and just happened to get the last spot in the class :)</p>
<p>BRM, you make a great point. In high school, I joined clubs and ECs based on interest and found it a lot easier to be actively involved (and describe activities on college apps). I do plan on joining a wide variety of ECs to balance academics! It’s just a matter of finding my niche in a large state college :)</p>
<p>Honors meant a lot at D’s school. It meant much smaller class, better relationship with prof., better chance at doing better. Some people even felt that they were easier primarily bacause prof. was more accessible. Other than that, it really does not matter as long as you complete your Honors requirements (if this is the goal). Nobody cares about Honors at med. School.</p>